Most of the churches would have to be maintained anyway, as they are buildings of historical, cultural and architectural significance, quite apart from their doctrinal use. Demolishing, or neglecting, historical sites just because they are sites of historical religious practice is Not Cool.

Given that the building is there anyway, it would be downright petty to not let people use it. I'll even argue that religious groups have a seniority claim on the time slots usually used for their religious observance.

What annoys me is when religious groups demand exclusivity in their access to these buildings. I see no reason a publicly owned church (and the buildings in question are mostly churches) should only be used for Sunday mass and Saturday choir practice. Why not open it to Muslim Friday prayers, Jewish Sabbaths and rock concerts on Thursdays? Does death metal music from a Thursday concert really linger in the walls and give off disturbing miasmas that disrupt Sunday masses?

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.